Blog Layout

Common Tree Diseases

Sep 06, 2022
Trees play a crucial role in the balance of the ecosystem. One of the environmental benefits of trees is the prevention of global warming. Trees prevent global warming through the production of oxygen and the absorption of carbon dioxide. Trees also promote better regulation of humidity. Better humidity control contributes to healthier soil.

However, trees are also prone to a variety of diseases that can negatively impact the ecosystem's function. Diseased trees are generally unattractive and so make the environment unattractive too.

Perhaps you have trees in your yard but don't know the diseases that can affect them. Here are some common tree diseases you should know about.

Canker Disease

A canker disease happens as a result of an injury to the tree. Bacterial or fungal pathogens infect the tree's open wound and cause the disease.

Canker disease mainly affects the bark of a tree. The disease can quickly kill the tree bark when not treated in time.

Canker diseases also cause the areas on the tree stems and twigs to swell and get discolored. The disease can also enlarge the branches and kill the leaves and flowers.

One way to control canker disease is to eliminate the infected tree limbs. The trick helps prevent the spread of canker diseases to other tree parts.

Good water status and nutrition in trees also prevent canker disease. The trick prevents nutritional imbalances, which make trees weak and vulnerable to canker diseases.

Again, you should not prune your trees during spring. The spring season has wet weather, which makes bacterial or fungal pathogens active.

Anthracnose

Anthracnose is also a common fungal ailment that affects the foliage of hardwood trees, shrubs, and vegetables. Common trees affected by anthracnose are oak, black walnut, elm, ash, and buckeye.

One of the signs of anthracnose in trees is brown to yellow patches and spots on young leaves. The leaves' shapes also get distorted with time.

Anthracnose also causes old leaves in trees to develop dark spots. The spots then proceed up through the canopy to branches.

Anthracnose also causes fruits to develop sunken and black spots. The disease progresses in fruits and causes them to rot.

One way to prevent anthracnose is to plant your vegetables, trees, or plants in well-drained soils. Well-drained soils prevent the spread of fungal pathogens that cause anthracnose.

Cedar-Apple Rust

Cedar-apple rust mainly affects the galls and branches of red cedar trees and the foliage of apple trees. A fungus known as Gymnosporangium causes cedar-apple rust.

One of the symptoms of cedar-apple rust is yellow or reddish-brown spots on the apple or crabapple tree leaves. The spots spread and enlarge much faster during early spring.

The infected apple or crabapple tree leaves can also drop off prematurely. The dropping of the leaves is a sign that cedar-apple rust has significantly infected your tree.

One of the tips to control cedar-apple rust is to grow apple and crabapple trees that resist the disease. The nursery you buy your trees from can provide you with apple and crabapple trees resistant to rust galls.

Annosus Root Rot

Annosus root rot is a common fungal disease that attacks the roots of coniferous trees like pine. Annosus root rot gets into the trees through fresh wounds.

Annosus root rot causes some sections of a tree's roots to discolor and rot. Rotten roots limit the tree's growth and cause the leaves to wilt and drop early.

Stump removal helps prevent Annosus root rot. You can also treat freshly cut stumps with the necessary fungicides.

A professional tree service company can help trim and remove sick trees from your yard. Such tree services will save you time and money. Lopez Tree Service Corp. is a reputable and experienced family-owned company you need for stump removal and tree trimming work.
23 Jan, 2024
It's important to watch out for the signs of tree diseases and take preventative measures to protect them. Read about the signs in this blog.
09 Dec, 2022
While tree stumps may seem harmless, they can cause accidents and other risks. Learn all the reasons you shouldn’t delay tree stump removal.
02 Sep, 2022
Tree trimming is an essential service with a multitude of benefits. Read on to learn all the ways tree trimming beautifies and benefits you.
More Posts
Share by: